Multiple-jet oil lift



J. L. GAWLEY MULTIPLE JET OIL LIFT F'iled Feb. 6, 1925 Feb; 1, 1927.

` 'r E i 'OFrlc JOSEPH L. GAWLEY, OF4 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

MULTIPLE-JET OIL LIFT. .Y

Application filed February This invention relates to improvements in pumps.

lt is an object of this invention to provide un improved pump adapt-ed to be lowered into the fluid and sand'in the well. in which a fluid is dischargedv upwardly through au orii'ice provided in the pipe so as to lift the well fluid therethrough, and to provide means whcrcl'iy fluid may be discharged within the pipe at various intervals by means of booster nozzles so as to facililate lifting the well fiuid to the surface.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a pump adapted to be lowered within a well casing, and to provide an improved packing means adapted to form a seal between the pipe of the pump and the well casing at any level.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improved jet lift pump for lifting well fluid and sand upwardly through a pipe, and to provide means for preventing the fluid, which is discharged through the jet so as to lift the well fluid, from escaping into the formation when operation of the pump is discontinued.

lVith the foregoing Yand other objects 1n view which will be made manifest'in the following detailed description and pointed out in the appended' claims, reference is had to the accompanying drawings for an illustrative embodiment of the invention, where- Figure 1 is a vertical section through a well showing the improved pump as being lowered therein;

,Fig 2 is a vertical section through a well, the pump being shown as having been lowered into the well and in operation;

` Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through one of the booster nozzles employed upon the pump of my improved construction.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout, the well hole is indicated at 10, in which there is disposed a well casing 11, the lower end of which is perforated as indicated at 12 Ato provide a screen for the well fluid. The pump proper is adapted to be lowered into the well casing 11 and consists of a pipe 13 which is provided at itsy lower end with a suitable plug e, 1925. serial No. 7,272.

14. The plug14 has a bore 15 formed therein and an orifice 16. Below the constricted portion of the-orifice 16, the plug 14 is flared or countersunk, 4as indicated at 17, and above the orifice 16 the plug 14 is countersunk. as at 18. About the lower end of the pipe 13 there is secured a sleeve 19 providing a shoulder 20 for a purpose hereinafter to be described. f

. The pipe 13 is formed of sections connected together" by couplings, and one couplingl is shown at 21. Below the coupling` 21, a mandrel 22'is slidable upon the pipe 13. This mandrel presents an eX- terior tapered or conical surface` 23, about which is placed a plurality of split rings 24 which have their exterior surfaces leaded or provided with'` other sealing or deform-y able material, as indicated at 25. About the lower end of the-.mandrel 22 there is a ring 26 which has pins 27 extending upwardly through apertures formed in the vsplit rings 24 so as to maintain them in proper position and in alignment about the mandrel 22. The interior surface of the split rings 24 is tapered so as to be complementary to the-tapered surface of the mandrel 22. j y

Upon the upper end of the mandrel 22 there is formed a recess 28, in which is disposed packing adapted to be compressed by a packing gland 29 which may be tightened toward the mandrel 22 by bolts or cap screws 30. The over'all diameter of the mandrel 22 and of the gland 29 is slightly less than the interior diameter 'of the well casing 11. Upon the upper surface ofthe gland member 29 there is placed a leather washer 31, which is held in place bythe bolts 30. This washer, which may be of leather or other material, is of a diameter the washer has a comparatively close fit within the well casing 11.

When the pump is lowered intothe well i within the casing 11, the mandrel 22 rests upon the shoulder-20 provided by the sleeve 19, and the split rings 24 are disposed about the mandrel in a contracted position, so that the diameter of the split rings 24 is slightly less than' the ,interior diameter of the well casing 11, permitting the pump to be readily llowered within the well casing. When in this position, the washer 31 is the only portion ofthe pump in actual contact with the interior surface of the well casing 11.' Water or circulation fluid or other' fluid pressure is provided within the well casing 11 about the pipe 13 `above th'e mandrel 22 when the mandrel has been lowered-into the proper position. The nwasher 31 prevents the escape of fluid pressure downwardly to a great extent, although the washer 31 is not designed to make van absolutely tight fit with the well casing.'l When the fluid pressure has been applied, the washer 31 causes the mandrel 22t0 be urged downwardly by the fluid pressure against the shoulder 20. :The pipe A13 is then given a quick lowering movement, that ds, the pipe 13 is allowed` to drop a few inches very quickly. The mandrel 22, because of the fluid pressure f' upon the washer 31, quickly lfollows the pipe downwardly and is limited in its down ward movement by the shoulder 20.- As there is no pressureupon the split rings 24, these rings, because of their inertia,ido not drop as quickly as the pipe 13 yand the mandrel 22. In this manner lthe mandrel 22 will be. caused to move relatively to the rings 24,V within it and because of its exterior tapered surface, it will cause the rings to be'expanded against the interior surface of the well casing 11, and because of the lead or packing 25, these rings will form a tight seal between the pipe-13 and the casing 11. When the rings 24 have been .expanded so y Vas to formthe seal, the pipe 13 may be lowered'within the mandrel until its lower end is immersed within the well fluidin the bottom of the well.

A supply pipe 32-is disposed within the lower end of the pipe 13 and has its lower end extending through the aperture 15` in the plug `14. The bottom of the supplyv pipe 32V is bent upwardly soas to provide a nozzle 33 positioned directly below-the orifice 16 within the flared portion 17. The upper end of the supply pipe 32 Vextends upwardly within 4the pipe 13 to a point opposite the coupling 21. At this point, the supply'pipe 32 is provided with a special fitting. 34 whichhas an elbow or port. eX- tending through the coupling 21 and com` municating with the chamber formed be tween the pipe 31 and the well casing 11.

This port is indicated at 35 in Fig. 3.

A Above the port 35 there are arranged upon opposite4 sides passages 36, and a check valve in the form of a metal cylinder 37 is adapted to slide downwardlyso as to close the passages'36 and seat upon a seat 38. The movement of the check valve 371 is limited in its upward direetionb'y a plug 39 having A.an aperture 40 formed vtherein communicating with the interior of thepipe 13. `The fitting 34 is connectedto the upper end of the supplypipe32 by a collar 41. Upon the supply pipe 32 there are mounted booster nozzles 42 in the form of upwardly the orifice 16.

mandrel-22- A ball check valve 46 is posi-' tioned'within the flared portion y18 of the plug 14 and is adapted to close the korifice 16.' The 'ballcheck valve 46 is maintained withinl the-flared portion'by a cage 47.

, The operation of the pump is as follows:

AftertheI split rings 24have been expande-d veloped by the column of liquid within the,

pipe 13, lifts the check valve 37 and the fluid passes through the passages 36 downwardly within the supply pipe 32. Part of the fluid vwhich enters the supply pipe l32.

beneath the check -valve 37 is discharged upwardly through the orifice 16 by the nozzle 33, lifting the ball check valve 46 and drawing the well fluid upwardly with it through Some of Ythe fluid in the supply pipe 32 -is discharged in an upward direction` through Athe booster nozzles 42,-

lifting the ball check valves 43. In this manner the well fluid iscaused to enter, the pipe 13 and to be' lifted therein bythe nozzle 33, and the lifting is assisted by the booster nozzles 42. Fluid inthe chamber between the pipe 13 and the well casing 11 enters the pipe 13 .and is discharged up wardly by the booster nozzles 45, in this manner assisting the lifting of the. well fluid4 vwithin the pipe.

Although any air, or compressed gas, -may be employed,

`the improved pump is especially adapted for use `in pump1ng`oil from'oil wells, and

Athe referred' fluid in such cases is water, whic not only has the effect of'gas in lift-v ing the oil, but also because of the fact that the water is heavier' than oil, causes the oil to tend to float upon `the water and rise within the -pipe'13. y J il Many of the States have enacted lstatutes which prohibit usingfa vjet lift pump of this construction which lifts the `oilby pump.

ing water into the well, because of the. fact that if the fluid should fail, to'V rise within the pipe 13, the water-would bgpmped into fluid, suchv as compressed neiaaao the formation or oil sand. Toemploy the pump of the improved construction in they States having.,lr such statutes, the check valves 37, 43 and 46V are employed. 'llhe check valves 43and 46 prevent the-"escape ot well lluid1 and water from the pipe 13 into the supply pipe 32`and into thewell casing, and

in this manner water in the well fluid'cannot escape into the formation or oil sand. The release ot' the pressure in, the chamber betweenV the pipe13 and the well casing 11 above the mandrelQQ allows the` check valve 37 to seat because of its `own weight, it being understood that the" hydraulic pressure developed outside of the pipe 13 is approximately equal to the hydraulic pressure in- .side of 'the pipe 13, and these pressures bethe pressure does flow downwardly in some cases through the supply pipe and into the well casing 11 below the' plug 14. However, thisamount. of water is small and 1s not objectionable.

The advantages of this type of pump 'are that the jet 33 not' only efficiently lifts the oil'when aided by the booster. nozzles 42 and 45, but also will cause the oil to carry sand with it and in this manner sanding up of the well is effectively prevented.

When it is ldesired to pull the pump trom the well, the pipe 13 is merely lifted, caus ing the shoulder 20 to engage the lower end of the mandrel 22, so 4as to cause it to slide upwardly within the split rings 24, and in *this manner the split rings, because of their own resiliency, will contract, enabling\ the pump to be readily pulled from the well casing' 11. l

` From the above it is seen that an improved pump is provided which is capable ot being lowered into a welll which may be even completely sanded up, and that the pump will lift the sand in the bottom ot the well, clear out the well and pump the oil which enters the well hole after the sand has been removed. 1t will be readily understood that when the well hole is sanded up, the`bottom of the pipe 13 is lowered upon the top of the sand and operation is commenced. This lifts thesand around the bottom ot the pipe 13 and as the sand is removed, the pipe 13 may be lowered through the mandrel 22 so as to follow the sand down to the bottom of the well h ole, and thus completely clear out the well hole and pump the oil or `other well fluid. By using both the jet 33 and the booster nozzles the pump may be employed means slidable upon said mandrel adapted to in very deep wells which may be 5,000 feet deep more or less, and this makes the pump useful in wells of greater 'depth than those in which ployed.

lt will be understood that various changes in the detail of construction may be made .without departing from the `spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. v

ll claim:

prior jet liftpumps have been em- 1,. A pump comprising a well casing, a

mandrel slidableV upon said pipe, packing pipe disposed within said well casing, a

be expanded upon downward movement ot f said mandrel relatively thereto so as to form a seal between said pipe and sa1d'cas1ng,'a

shoulder provided upon said pipe below said casing engageable upon said mandrel, and booster nozzles arranged at various intervals within said pipe above said mandrel whereby fluid pressure may be admitted to said pipe `from within said casingr and discharged 1n an upward direction therein.

l2. A pump'comprising a. well casing, a

' 'pipe disposed within said welllcasing, a mandrel slidable upon said pipe, packmg means slidable upon said mandrel adapted to be expanded upon downward movement of said mandrel relatively theretoso as to form a seal between said pipe and said easing, a shoulderlprovided upon said pipe below said casing engageable upon said mandrel, a supply pipe disposed withinl said pipe, means including a check valve providing a connection. between said Isupply pipe and the exterior of said pipe, an orifice provided adjacentthe bottom ot said pipe, and an upwardly directed nozzle provided upon said ysupply pipe, whereby fluid may flow downwardly lun between. said pipe and said casing, enter said supply pipe and be discharged in an upward I direction through said orifice so as to lift the liquid about said pipe through said orifice.

3. A pump comprising a well easing, a pipe disposed within said well casing, a mandrel slidable upon said pipe, packing means sldable upon said mandrel adapted to be expanded upon'downward movement of said mandrel relatively thereto so as .to form a seal between said pipe and said casing, a shoulder provided upon said pipe below said casing engageable upon said mandrel, a supply pipe dis osed within said pipe, means including` a c cli valve providing a connection between said supply pipe and the exterior ot said pipe, an orifice provided ad- 'jacent the bottom ot said pipe, an upwardly directed nozzle provided upon said supply pipe whereby tluid may flow downwardly between said pipe and said casing, enter said supply pipe and be discharged in an upward direction through said orilice so as to litt the liquid about said pipe through said orince, and a cheek valve adapted to close said orifice so as to prevent downward flow o fluid therethrough.

4. A pump comprising a well casing, a pipe' disposed within said well casing, a

mandrel slidable upon said pipe, packingv means slidable upon said mandrel adapted to be expanded upon downward movement of said inandrel relatively thereto so as to form a seal between said pipe and said casing, a shoulder provided upon said pipe below said'casing engageable upon said mandrel, a supply pipe disposed within said pipe, meansincluding a check valve providing a connection between said supply pipe and `the exterior -of said pipe, an orifice provided adjacent the bottom of said pipe, an

upwardly directed nozzle. provided upon said supply pipe, whereby fluid may flow downwardly between said pipe and said casing, enter said supply pipe and be discharged in an upward direction through said orifice so as to lift `the liquid about said pipe through said orifice, and booster nozzles mounted upon said supply pipe for directing fluid from said supply pipe upwardly within said pipe above the bottom thereof.

y5. A pump comprisingv a well casing, a pipe disposed within said well casing, a mandrel slidable upon said pipe, packing means slidable upon said mandrel adapted. to be expanded upon downward movement of said mandrel relatively thereto so as to form a seal between said pipe and said eas ing, a shoulder provided upon said pipe below said casing-engageable upon said mandrel, a supply pipe disposed Iwithin said pipe, means including a check valve providing a connection between said supply pipe and the exterior of said pipe, an orifice provided adjacent the bottom of said pipe, an upwardly directed nozzle provided upon said supply pipe, whereby fluid may flow downwardly between said pipe and said casing, enter said 'supply pipe and be discharged in an upward direction through said orifice so as to lift the liquid about said pipe through said orifice, booster nozzles check valvesadapted to. close said booster prevent flow from nozzles and orifice so as to said pipe therethrough.

6. A pump comprising a well. caslng, .a

pipe disposed within said well casing, means for forming a seal between said lpipe `and said well casing, means providlng'v an orlfice with a nozzle for discharging a fluid there from upwardly through said orifice, said supply pipe communicating with the eX- 'adjacent the bottom of said pipe, a supply pipe disposed within said pipe `and provided terior of' 'said pipe above said seal, booster nozzles mounted upon said supply pipe discharging fluid in an upward direction within said pipe, and booster nozzles mounted upon the interior ot' said pipe above Said seal whereby fluid-between said pipe and said casing may be discharged therethrough in an upward direction within said pipe.

7. A pump comprising a well casing,a pipe disposed within said wellcasing, means for forming a seal between'said pipe and said well casing, means providing an'orifice adjacent the bottom of said pipe a supply pipe disposed within said pipe and provided with a nozzle fordischarging a fluid therefrom upwardly throughsaid orifice, said supply pipe communicating with the eX- terior of said pipe above said seal, booster nozzles mounted upon said supply pipe discharging fluid in an upward direction within saidvpipe, booster nozzles mounted upon the interior of said pipe above said seal whereby fluid between said pipe and said casing may be discharged therethrough in an upward direction within said pipe, and check valves adapted to close said orifice, thebooster nozzleslupon said supply pipe, and the entrance to said supply pipe as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

. JOSEPH L. GAWLEY. 

